Your DIRECTV H20 running hot? Install a fan
By Matt Burns 
posted July 21st 2006 10:51AM
posted July 21st 2006 10:51AM
Do you have DIRECTV'S newest high-def receiver? The H20? If you do we are confident that it runs hot 'cause most of 'em do. We don't know why (someone can tell us if they know) but we do have a solution for you that we found on AVSForums. Simply, well not super easy but still easy, install a fan on the inside of the unit. We are just talking about a normal 80mm fan that you would use in your computer. If you are going to do this though, make sure you spend the few extra bucks to get a quiet one too; there is nothing worse then a noisy fan mixed in with your AV equipment. You might even want to do a slow 120mm fan as they are historically a bit slower and therefore more quiet.
This would require you to take apart the box and keep in mind that if it was 'purchased' after March 1st, this must void some type of user agreement as you don't own the box but are leasing it. The fan plugs into the USB port on the back panel though and since you aren't touching anything on the board, if you take your time chances are DIRECTV won't even notice your were playing around inside of their equipment.
Have fun!
The DIRECTV H20 does run HOT - even when it's turned off. However it certainly looks and feels more State-of-the-Art than say Comcast's HD Receiver. Just wish DirecTv would add more HD-channels like Starz-HD.
I understand the cleanliness of the pictured solution, but for those unwilling to crack open the box (esp. those leasing the machine), why not do the same thing, but mount the fan on top of the box. I'm sure the vent holes could be used to crudely secure a fan and keep it from vibrating and moving about. Just a thought.
You could also use one of those laptop coolers, turned upside down on top of the unit so that you could move air through the entire area of the vents on the top of the unit.
The way I solved cooling issues with both the H20 and my XBOX 360 was to mount 3 different PC fans into my equipment rack.
The fans are all wired to a variable output AC adapter from Radio Shack. It's max output is 12V; however, I have adjusted it down to around 8V so that the 3 fans don't run as fast and loud.
Here is a photo of the fans while I was wiring them together:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/smorty71/14979844/
The fans keep the inside of the rack at under 80 degrees F when the XBOX 360 is running (I have a small digital thermometer tucked in the back of the rack).
Just make sure your H20 is really, in fact, yours to modify and not really the property of DirecTV.
Back in my audio production days, I minority-rigged a couple of fans that blew on to the signal processors. They were even mounted on a hinge so they would swing out of the way when you needed access to the rear of the equipment.
I am having trouble with this piece of crap receiver. It keep restarting by itself for no reason!!! Does anybody has this issue?
Kbadone, it could be the heat, check what your Tivo's temp is in the system settings area.
I agree with the external mount option, if nothing else, it keeps the airflow in the case from being obstructed and can pull air better than pushing it through the grills.
It will also prevent those that lease from needing to open their case.